In Tale

Sunday, June 25, 2017

"I am willing," he said, "to serve my country; but my worship I reserve for Right which is far greater than my country. To worship my country as a god is to bring a curse upon it." - Nikhil

"And so I will bear what you people are pleased to call false witness, as they have done who have created empires, built up social systems, founded religious organizations. Those who would rule do not dread untruths; the shackles of truth are reserved for those who will fall under their sway. Have you not read history? Do you not know that in the immense cauldrons, where vast political developments are simmering, untruths are the main ingredients?" - Sandip

"My country does not become mine simply because it is the country of my birth. It becomes mine on the day when I am able to win it by force" - Sandip

Truth v/s the Reality, Heart v/s the Head, Intuition v/s insight, Home v/s the World - so many duels

The novel and movie is so relevant in these times (first published in 1915).

Satyajit Ray takes the novel to another level, another must watch (and not just watch, but the deep thought afterwards).

Monday, June 22, 2015

The water is clear and moderately rapid in patches. The river is calm and quite welcoming. Almost asking me to give up fear and give in. I consider the jump for some time. Then I oblige after watching others taking a leap.

As I jump in the cool water, in the next couple of seconds the past flashes by. Water gushes into the eyes, ears and throat. Thoughts choke for a while, which seems like eternity. The life jacket pulls me up after more than eternity and I can breath again. I can resume thinking. I realize this is not the first time I have experienced it. I recall this from many years ago when I learnt to swim. Clear as sunlight.

I spend next thirty minutes reliving the experience. Trying to swim forward and backward. Letting the water into nostrils, allowing it to deafen me momentarily.

As I drag myself out, the chill brings me back to the present.

By and by it has been more than water therapy. It has been a ride to the past!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

There is a bigger question to answer in the new year - (hint: it's NOT from the following).
1. Will Ebola be eradicated?
2. Will ISIS be defeated?
3. Will India win the Cricket WC in Australia?
4. Will world economy grow faster, will India's grow even faster?
5. Will the extreme Right and Left moderate to harmony?
6. Will global warming cool down?

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Little sweet flower
hasn't lost its fragrance -
nor the memories
---

Continuity of ant-line
seems broken
at the sugar-crossing
---

Why I love writing (or at least to try writing) such three-liners is, unsurprisingly, a mystery. Well, not really. I will not be arrogant to call my such endeavors as Haikus, for they need to follow a lot of rules. At the same time, I will not shy away from trying to create something that fills me with joy. Thinking and coming up with such experimental word-plays isn't that difficult. My only criterion of success is that such arrangement of words should make the reader paint a picture that is enjoyable. In a way, I take it as a challenge to be as frugal at use of words as possible and yet describe a scene as best as possible.

I have tried many such three-liners, mostly inspired by nature, and how nature connects to emotion. I could explain in details each one of them, but that would defeat the whole purpose and destroy its beauty (if any, in my writing's case).

And perhaps that's why the Japanese invented and mastered that art - in a truly Zen way!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

American Express is, simply put, an overrated brand to own a credit card from. I have had enough experiences in the "America" when the shops proudly exclaimed "We don't accept that card!" So much for having the "Corporate Card" from American Express.

Today, in Israel, however I had a different kind of experience. Usually I ask up-front if they would accept Amex card, and so I did ask the cashier. "Let me check," he responded. I thought he was going to check with his manager. Instead, he just swiped the card. To my surprise (and perhaps equally to his) the card worked.

Friday, August 09, 2013

My first reaction to the them of serial Dexter was - who the hell wants to watch a serial killer as the hero?! I must say, my reaction was a bit premature, as this serial killer is of the Robin Hood kind. A few episodes of the first season under my belt, I think I am hooked to it.

And this is only the second such experience after devouring the 'Downton Abbey'.

I am yet at the first season, so catching up with all the seasons in next few weeks is going to be real fun.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Watched "Paths of Glory" a couple of weeks back. Once you have watched it, it's not easy to forget it. Although the background is that of war, one may find many parallels and situations to relate it to.

I read somewhere that there was a serious discussion to convert the film's end into a happy one. However, it was not done that way, and I think that's the high point of the film.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

There was an accusation that the congress president spent INR1800 crores = ~$320 million over three years on foreign trips. Let's try to see what $320M can buy for you:

Foreign air-travel (assuming 200 round-trip first class tickets) over three years: $2M;Assuming $10k/day stay at a hospital for 12 months: $3.65M;Medicines: $0.5M per year (World's costliest drug)=$1.5M for three years;

I recall an essay by Douglas Hofstadter about use of 'astronomical figures' to exaggerate. (Metamagical Themas: Questing for the Essence of Mind and Pattern, Basic Books, 1985. Chapter 6, "On Number Numbness," pp. 115- 135).

This is a wonderful example that can be added to numerous [sic] examples quoted there :-)

[I realized I didn't account for the security expenses, but still, no matter what you do (or spend) figures don't add up!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

It was an interesting experience to follow the chess world championship match that got over today at Moscow, with Vishy Anand of India being crowned the World Champion for the fifth time.

The professional chess is - well - difficult. First of all, I got lost (and amazed at) by extensive usage of chess-notation by the commentators. They seemed to remember the game move-by-move, just like a cricket scorer would remember statistics game-by-game. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

Here, at work, there was a large interest (because an Israeli was the challenger). At one of our weekly volleyball games, my friend teased me (Gelfand had just won a game to take lead in the 12-match series) about Israeli superiority. I simply had to offer a (Slav?) defense 'well, it's just a tactic to catch Boris unawares in the next match." And voila, Anand won the next game in mere 17 moves. "17 moves" was my subject in the follow-up email to my dear friend!

(I think) the tie-breaker games lived up to expectation. I was following game-2 (which Anand won). It was quite exciting to just see the moves and try my guess-work at what would be the next.

It was a complex situation: An Indian, Maharashtrian at that, working in Israel, following world championship match being played at Moscow between another Indian (Tamil) and an Israeli (originally born in Russia).

Yes, complex, but thoroughly enjoyable. Just as the tie-break games turned out to be.